Monday, 23 June 2014

Extracts from a Short and Merry Life - Part One: Sport & Fitness

Earlier this month, Tim Wotton
published his memoir of living with cystic fibrosis, 'How
Have I Cheated Death? A Short and Merry Life with Cystic Fibrosis'. In the run
up to his book signing event this Saturday 28 June at Waterstones Wimbledon,
we'll be publishing three extracts from the book focusing on three themes. The
first of which, is the role of sport and exercise:

Without a shadow of a doubt, a large part
of my longevity in my battle to defy CF can be credited to the amount of sport
I have played throughout my life; mainly hockey, basketball, tennis, rugby,
football and cricket.

In my experience, I have found that regular
exercise has become a necessity to keep my lungs ‘tuned’ and it impacts me both
physically and mentally. I strongly believe that any activity that exercises
the lungs of someone with CF is hugely beneficial.

Exercise is not actually straight forward
for most CF sufferers as the build-up of mucous in the lungs means that less
oxygen is available which causes problems with breathing and general fitness.
It is also an extremely exhausting condition – just think how tiring it is to
cough for five minutes non-stop. I find it quite literally knocks the wind out
of my sails.

For me, still playing sport,
running and competing is the best barometer for how my health is. It also
serves as an indication for others, not least my dad, to know that if I’m still
able to play, that CF can’t be winning the battle. Indeed, my dad will
always ask “How’s your wobble son?” and most old friends tend to lead
conversations with “Are you still playing hockey?”

At times, I feel the weight of their hope
and expectations on my shoulders. What would they think should I ever reply:
“Actually, I’ve had to pack it in as it became too much for me!”

I play on for my own health but
also for the positive lift it gives to others. I now feel a tremendous sense of
elation on completing any sport as it feels like ‘my Everest’ moment. It’s hard
and I do have to get pretty psyched up these days before most exercise. It’s still
important for me to compete against relatively healthy and fit people as it
serves as my health benchmark.

My lungs do definitely benefit
from exercise, even small jogs and I feel more vibrant and alive afterwards. I
wouldn’t say the exercise is always enjoyable, but the rewards and positive
sensation drive me on. It’s only after I’ve pushed myself during a hockey or
tennis match that I feel really ‘alive’. I have had to consistently find the
motivation to keep going with my hockey. Few 39 year olds I know are still
partaking in competitive sport and they all have their reasons not to – it’s
easier not to be active once you have a busy work and family life. Some people
need a goal to get running again – something to aim for, like a 10K charity
run, marathon or triathlon. I have my hockey.

I am desperate to still be playing sport at 40. Fighting CF gives me the
encouragement that few can harness. It’s more than feeling that I have to do
exercise, it’s lighting my own internal touch paper to force myself to ‘want’
to do it, whichcreates my own
intrinsic motivation. I focus on both the mental and physical aspects of this
desire. Physically, I think what’s more of a benefit to me – running (and
enduring a short-term discomfort) or not running (and letting the effects of CF
build up). Mentally, exercise is my two finger salute to CF, defiantly
declaring “I won’t be beaten. I can do this. I will do this. Just watch me!”
It’s a simple equation for me to keep playing sport. If I exercise and keep as
fit as possible, it’s likely that I will stay one step ahead of the grim
reaper. In fact, I would go as far as stating that it’s a matter of my life or
death.

Tim will be signing
copies of his book at Waterstones in Wimbledon from 6:30-8:00pm this Saturday.
You can purchase 'How Have I Cheated Death? A Short and Merry Life with Cystic Fibrosis'
fromAustin MacauleyandAmazon, as well as WH Smith,
Waterstones and Foyles.